Penrod, US

Brian W. Penrod, Wadsworth, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120122581

WIRELESS ELECTRONIC GAMING UNIT - A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An electronics assembly is mounted to one of the housing and the base for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.

05-17-2012

Daniel C. Penrod, Russiaville, IN US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20140150751

FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL SYSTEM AND COMPONENT FOR PIECEWISE INJECTOR SIGNAL GENERATION - A system and component for generating a drive signal suitable to operate a fuel injector. The drive signal includes one or more injector pulses. Each injector pulse is characterized by a desired pulse profile. The system includes an injector driver and a controller. The injector driver is operable to apply a supply voltage to the fuel injector. The controller is configured to store a plurality of state definitions that determine an operation state of the injector driver when a selected definition of the plurality of state definitions is communicated to the injector driver. The controller is further configured to receive a sequence of state values that determine an order that the state definitions are communicated to the injector driver to generate piecewise an injector pulse exhibiting the pulse profile, and thereby generate the drive signal.

06-05-2014

Darius S. Penrod, Elberta, UT US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100300805

ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS - The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

12-02-2010

20130118833

ADJUSTABLE LADDERS AND RELATED METHODS - The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

05-16-2013

20130186710

ELEVATED WORKING PLATFORM AND RELATED METHODS - Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.

07-25-2013

20140102827

LADDER SECURING APPARATUSES, LADDERS INCORPORATING SAME AND RELATED METHODS - A ladder is provided comprising a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. A pair of hooks are located such that each hook is positioned adjacent and upper end of an associated rail. A securing apparatus is coupled adjacent the upper end of the first pair of spaced apart rails. The securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engaging members and may include a cross-member coupled therebetween. Each of the engagement members is pivotal with respect to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus lacks any biasing members (e.g., springs or actuators) or locking members. The engagement members and hooks cooperatively encircle and overhead, generally horizontal support member to support and secure the ladder in a desired position.

Eric S. Penrod, Plantation, FL US

Fred F. Penrod, Bonita Springs, FL US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100181126

Electric car battery charging system - A battery charging system useful for use in a hybrid or an all electric vehicle. The system includes a computer that controls all the multiple generators in the vehicle. The generators are driven by all four wheels of the vehicle plus a small gasoline engine from time to time. The system takes advantage of the brake rotor discs by driving a generator by each of the brake discs in direct contact therewith or by induction. The charging system could also be operated from a disc that is driven from an axle of the vehicle. In this case the extra disc would be mounted onto the axle by way of a housing. The computer controls the charge of the main battery but also could provide charging electricity to an independent battery that is in a standby mode. In this manner very little or no fossil fuel is being consumed by the vehicle no matter what the speed it is being operated at. The system includes a small gasoline engine which is controlled by the computer to alternatingly charge the master battery or a stand-by battery as well as a third independent battery that supplies power to various other minor operating needs of the vehicle

07-22-2010

Fred Franklin Penrod, Bonita Springs, FL US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110315463

Compel system for powering an electric motor vehicle - The inventive concept is directed toward a “compel” system. The word compel is an acronym of the words “compressed air and electricity”. The compel system is a system of mechanical devices aligned together to propel a vehicle without employing fossil fuel and creating very little or no detectable pollution. The motion source in the inventive concept is an electric engine that drives the vehicle. The source/s for producing the electricity originate in two different manners. One source is the result of the motion of the vehicle itself and is responsible for the action of the second source. Conversely, the second source provides the energy to propel the vehicle. Thus, each source is generally dependent upon the other. However, the holding reserve capacity of the fuel tank allows for the compressed air engine source to mobilize the vehicle from a dead stop and thereby re-engage the other generating source/s. The other energy generating sources are elements driven by the axle of the vehicle.

12-29-2011

Heidi L. Penrod, Pontiac, MI US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100013258

Seatbelt Anchor Assembly - A seatbelt anchor assembly for a motor vehicle seatbelt restraint system. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a separate ferrule component. The anchor forms an engagement for the seatbelt and has an extending plate end. The ferrule component is adapted to be mounted to the vehicle through various means such as cable or direct mechanical fastener attachment. The ferrule forms a U-shaped cross-section which engages with the anchor and interlocks with it. In one embodiment, a retaining clip is provided enabling the anchor and ferrule components to be assembled without tools. A pair of holes is provided to enable final connection to be provided through a threaded fastener. Features are provided to prevent to make it apparent that the components are improperly assembled.

01-21-2010

Jason Blake Penrod, Shawnee, KS US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120297018

PROMPTING SERVICE - Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing methods are provided for establishing and updating a prompting scheme for soliciting feedback from a customer. Initially, the customer provides a type of occasion to monitor and temporal criteria for receiving communications from a service. The service generates a prompting scheme based on the type of occasion in order to properly compose solicitations for feedback from the customer. Also, the service uses the temporal criteria for establishing the prompting scheme, which influences the scheduling of communications bearing the solicitations, respectively. Upon delivering the communications, interaction between the customer and the service is monitored and evaluated in order to update the prompting scheme. Specifically, the scheduling of communications is updated based upon the most common time periods at which the customer responds to the communications, while the composition of the solicitations is updated based upon which communications the customer considers worthy of response.

11-22-2012

20130323689

FILL-IN-THE-BLANK AUDIO-STORY ENGINE - Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.

Joshua Penrod, Orem, UT US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20140082568

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A FAMILY TREE DATA STRUCTURE - A tree building system that accesses data from a social networking site and, in some embodiments, other data sites having information that may pertain to the relationships between users of the social networking site. A rules engine within the system implements logic for analyzing the data from the social networking site. The system provides a candidate list of possible relatives for selection by a user and solicits information from the user through the use of guided questions.

03-20-2014

Paul S. Penrod, Longmont, CO US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120293598

Video Phone Kiosk with Attractor and Proximity Sensing - A Video Phone Kiosk system for providing audio and video phone calls, video mail, greeting cards, and custom, targeted, income generating advertising as well as establishing a platform for the deployment of additional pay and enhanced services that can be added to the video phone kiosk or customize with expanded service delivery of the video phone kiosk to address specific vertical markets, such as senior citizens, shopping, cultural, social, travel, medical, financial and investments. The advantage over public pay phones and kiosks lies in the fact that the video phone kiosk can generate income on a near continuous basis through the use of additional non-telephony specific pay services and an attractor that displays forms of advertising and entertainment which can be updated remotely and targeted to specific market or demographic.

11-22-2012

Robert D. Penrod, Loomis, CA US

Terry Penrod, Indianapolis, IN US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100166540

VARIABLE GEOMETRY VANE - The present invention includes a pivotable vane having an airfoil with a vane spindle or stem extending toward a distal end thereof. The vane stem has a head with a pair of tapered flats having an outwardly extending angle as defined from the distal end of the head towards the airfoil. A vane arm having a substantially C-shaped connector with a pair of contact ends is constructed to maintain a gap with the tapered flats at an initial assembly step and positively engage the tapered flats at a final assembly step.

07-01-2010

Victor M. Penrod, Columbus, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120061364

TANDEM GAS METAL ARC WELDING SYSTEM - A gas metal arc welding system that includes first and second welding torch assemblies arranged to operate in tandem. The first welding torch assembly further includes a rotable torch body; a contact tip connected to one end of the rotatable torch body, wherein the contact tip further includes an angled passage formed therethrough; a consumable wire electrode passing through the rotating torch body and exiting the contact tip through the offset exit hole; and a source of shielding gas. The second welding torch assembly further includes a non-rotatable torch body; a contact tip connected to one end of the non-rotatable torch body; a consumable wire electrode passing through the non-rotatable torch body and exiting through the contact tip; and a source of shielding gas.

03-15-2012

Victor M. Penrod, Hilliard, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110117527

WELDING TRAINING SYSTEM - A system for training welders that includes a data generating component, a data capturing component and a data processing and visualization component. The data generating component operates in real time and derives data from an actual manually-executed weld and further includes a weld process-specific jig, a calibration block positioned on the jig, wherein the geometric configuration of the calibration block is specific to a particular type of weld joint, a weld coupon positioned on the welding process-specific jig adjacent to the calibration block, a welding gun for use by a trainee, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and at least one target mounted on the welding gun that is recognized by the data processing and visualization component for providing multidimensional position and orientation feedback to the trainee.

05-19-2011

Victor M. Penrod, Dunlap, IL US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090102281

Machine and track assembly for use therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

04-23-2009

20110006597

Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

01-13-2011

20120193976

Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

08-02-2012

20120193977

Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

08-02-2012

20120193978

Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

08-02-2012

20120193980

Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith - A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

08-02-2012

Patent applications by Victor M. Penrod, Dunlap, IL US

Victor Matthew Penrod, Hilliard, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110006047

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND CHARACTERIZING THE CREATION OF A MANUAL WELD - A method and system for monitoring and characterizing the creation of a manual weld is disclosed. The system generally includes a welding gun having a target, an imaging system, a processor, and a display. During the creation of a manual weld, the imaging system captures a plurality of images of the target. The processor analyzes the plurality of images of the target to calculate a plurality of position and orientation characteristics associated with the manipulation of the welding gun during the welding process. The display illustrates at least one of the plurality of position and orientation characteristics to provide feedback regarding the creation of the weld. In one embodiment, the disclosed method and system may be utilized as a tool for training welders.